Process for preparing oral calcium compositions

ABSTRACT

A process for the preparation of an orally administrable calcium composition comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a physiologically tolerable particulate calcium compound having a mean particle size in the range 3 to 40 μm, having a crystalline structure and having a surface area of 0.1 to 1.2 m 2 /g; (ii) mixing the calcium compound with a water-soluble diluent and an aqueous solution of a water soluble binder in a fluid bed granulation apparatus and drying the resulting mixture to produce a first granulate; (iii) optionally mixing the first granulate with one or more further components to produce a second granulate; and (iv) optionally compressing the first or second granulate to form tablets.

This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an orallyadministrable pharmaceutical composition containing a physiologicallytolerable calcium compound, in particular a composition in tablet form.

Calcium carbonate tablets are used as a source of calcium, especiallyfor patients suffering from or at risk of osteoporosis. Moreover calciumcarbonate is used as an acid neutralizing agent in antacid tablets.

Calcium carbonate is used in such tablets since the calcium content ofcalcium carbonate is high, the calcium is presented in a form which canbe taken up from the gastrointestinal tract, calcium carbonate iseffective at neutralizing gastric acids, and calcium carbonate is aphysiologically acceptable calcium compound.

In such tablets, various binders, sweeteners and flavors are used inorder to produce a tablet which is readily acceptable to the patient.Indeed many producers have sought to achieve improved patientacceptability by formulating the tablets with such excipients in a“chewable” form. As a result, and since the daily recommended dosage isgenerally about 1000 mg calcium, the commercially available calciumtablets which commonly contain 500 mg calcium are relatively bulky.

Examples of chewable calcium carbonate tablets are described in WO96/09036 (Laboratoire Innothera) and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,135(Sterling Drug). The chewable calcium carbonate tablets described inthese two patent publications have a calcium carbonate content of about50% or less by weight and for a 500 mg calcium dosage are thereforeundesirably large.

The present invention is directed to a process by which this undesiredbulk may be reduced, and in particular to a process by which a chewablecalcium tablet may be produced with a calcium compound content in excessof 60% by weight.

Thus viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a process forthe preparation of an orally administrable calcium composition, saidprocess comprising the steps of:

-   -   (i) obtaining a physiologically tolerable particulate calcium        compound having a mean particle size in the range 3 to 40 μm,        having a crystalline structure and having a specific surface        area of 0.1 to 1.2 m²/g, preferably 0.2 to 0.9 m²/g, especially        0.3 to 0.8 m²/g;    -   (ii) mixing said calcium compound with a water-soluble diluent        and an aqueous solution of a water soluble binder in a fluid bed        granulation apparatus and drying the resulting mixture to        produce a first granulate;    -   (iii) optionally mixing said first granulate with one or more        further components to produce a second granulate, preferably a        granulate having a content of said calcium compound of at least        60% by weight; and    -   (iv) optionally compressing said first or second granulate to        form tablets.

The physical characteristics of the calcium compound used in the processof the invention are important in order that the fluid bed granulationstage should produce a first granulate having the desiredcharacteristics. The calcium compound should be crystalline and have amean particle size of 3 to 40 μm, preferably 5 to 30 μm. Preferably itshould have a bulk density in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 g/mL, morepreferably 0.3 to 1.4 g/mL, especially 0.4 to 1.3 g/mL. The calciumcompound is preferably an acid soluble compound, e.g. a compound poorlysoluble or insoluble in water at pH7 but soluble in water at gastric pHvalues.

The upper particle size limit of 40 μm is important in order to avoid agritty mouthfeel in the final product. The lower particle size limit of3 μm is also important in order to avoid a feeling of stickiness on theteeth during chewing.

Crystallinity, in particular the possession of relatively smooth crystalsurfaces and low specific surface area, is important for the achievementof effective and rapid wetting and granulation in the fluid granulationstep of the process of the invention.

Specific surface area may be determined using apparatus such as theCarlo Erba Sorptomatic 1900.

The calcium compound may, for example, be selected from calciumcarbonate, calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, calciumglycerophosphate, calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate (e.g. intribasic, dibasic or monobasic forms, i.e. Ca₃(PO₄)₂, CaHPO₄.2H₂O andCa(HPO₄)₂.H₂O), calcium glucuronate, calcium aspartate, calciumglucoheptonate and mixtures of two or more thereof. However, calciumcarbonate, in particular in calcite form, is preferred due to its highcalcium content, its ready availability, its cost, its well-documentedabsorption characteristics in humans, and its performance in the fluidgranulation step of the process of the invention.

Especially, preferably calcium carbonate having individual or primaryand cubic or pseudo-cubic shaped calcite crystals with smooth or evensurfaces are used. Desirably such crystals are also transparent. Wherethe end product is for use as a medicine, it is also preferred that thecalcium carbonate be a material precipitated according to Ph. Eur.

Examples of appropriate commercially available calcium carbonate includeMerck 2064 (available from Merck, Darmstadt, Germany), Scoralite 1A andScoralite 1B (available from Scora Watrigant SA, France), Super-PurityCaCO₃ and Medicinal Heavy CaCO₃ (available from Shanghai Da YuBiochemistry Co. Ltd., China)., and Pharmacarb LL (available fromCrompton & Knowles, Vineland, USA). Scoralite 1B and Scoralite 1A+1B areparticularly preferred. Merck 2064 has a mean particle size of 10 to 30μm, an apparent bulk density of 0.4 to 0.7 g/mL, and a specific surfacearea of 0.3 m²/g; Scoralite 1A has a mean particle size of 5 to 20 μm,an apparent bulk density of 0.7 to 1.0 g/mL and a specific surface areaof 0.6 m²/g; Scoralite 1A+1B has a mean particle size of 7 to 25 μm, anapparent bulk density of 0.7 to 1.2 g/mL and a specific surface area of0.35 to 0.8 m²/g; Scoralite 1B has a mean particle size of 10 to 30 μm,an apparent bulk density of 0.9 to 1.3 g/mL and a specific surface areaof 0.4 to 0.6 m²/g; Medicinal Heavy CaCO₃ has a mean particle size of 5to 30 μm, an apparent bulk density of 0.9 to 1.3 g/mL and a specificsurface area of 0.8 m²/g; Super-Purity CaCO₃ has a mean particle size of10 to 30 μm, an apparent bulk density of 0.9 to 1.2 g/mL and a specificsurface area of 0.6 m²/g; and Pharmacarb LL has a mean particle size of5 to 30 μm, an apparent bulk density of 0.8 to 1.2 g/mL and a specificsurface area of 0.7 m²/g. The Pharmacarb LL calcium carbonate however isnot apparently a material precipitated in accordance with Ph. Eur. andthus is more preferred for production of end products which are for useas dietary supplements or food products than those which are for use aspharmaceuticals.

The calcium compound or mixture of calcium compound preferably makes up60 to 95% by weight of the second granulate, and preferably provides acalcium content of 15 to 40%, more especially 20 to 35%, and still moreespecially 25 to 30% by weight in the second granulate.

The calcium compound or mixture of compounds preferably makes up 60.5 to96%, more preferably 66 to 91% still more preferably 68 to 80% and mostpreferably 72 to 76% by weight of the first granulate.

The water-soluble diluent used in step (ii) of the process of theinvention is preferably a sweetener or a mixture of sweeteners, e.g. apolyol or a polysaccharide, more preferably a non-cariogenic sweetener.Examples of suitable diluents include sorbitol, xylitol, isomalt andmannitol, which are non-cariogenic. Neosorb P100T sorbitol, xylitol CM50and isomalt PF are available commercially from Roquette Freres, Xyrofinand Palatinit respectively. Further examples of suitablesaccharide-based diluents include sucrose, fructose and themaltodextrins (e.g. Lycatab DSH available from Roquette Freres).Especially preferred as diluents are the non-cariogenic oligosaccharidessuch as inulin and oligofructose. Inulin may be obtained by extractionfrom chickory root and is available under the trade name Raftiline fromOrafti SA, Tieren, Belgium. Oligofructose is obtained by partialhydrolysis of inulin and is available from Orafti SA under the tradename Raftilose and from Beghin-Meiji Industries, Neuilly-sur-Seine,France under the trade name Actilight.

The diluent preferably makes up the major proportion, e.g. by 70 to 96%,more preferably 80 to 95%, still more preferably 85 to 94%, mostpreferably 90 to 92% of the total weight of diluent and binder in thefirst granulate.

The calcium compound and diluent (which, especially in the case ofinulin, may be the same material as is used as the binder) arepreferably blended before addition of the aqueous binder. The blendingmay conveniently be performed as a dry blending, for example using ablender with a rotating mixer arm, e.g. a blade. This ensures that anylumps are removed and achieves an intimate mixing of the calciumcompound and the diluent. By way of example, a high speed mixer (e.g.Fielder PMA 25/2G) may be used operating at maximum speed for both theimpeller and knife for two minutes; however any mill may be used tobreak up lumps in the mixture and indeed the calcium compound and thediluent may be treated in this way separately to remove lumps beforethey are blended.

The water-soluble binder used in step (ii) of the process of theinvention may be selected from known water-soluble pharmaceuticalbinders, e.g. it may be a soluble cellulose or polysaccharide or apolyvinylpyrrolidone or a mixture thereof. Preferably the binder is apolyvinylpyrrolidone, e.g. Kollidon K30, Kollidon 90F or Kollidon VA64which are available commercially from BASF. Inulin and maltodextrin mayalso be used as binders.

The binder is preferably used in aqueous solution at a concentration of10 to 35% by weight, more especially 15 to 35%, preferably 25 to 30%,and particularly 27 to 29% by weight.

The fluid granulation step, step (ii) of the process of the invention,may be effected in any fluid granulation apparatus, e.g. a Glatt GPCG 3fluid bed available from Glatt GmbH. The procedure preferably involvesspraying the aqueous binder mixture onto the fluidized diluent/calciumcompound mixture. Fluidization may be achieved by gas flow through themixture or alternatively mechanically, e.g. by the use ofcounter-rotating, interlocking paddles with horizontal rotational axes.The liquid sprayed is preferably at or near ambient temperature (e.g. 15to 35° C., preferably 20 to 30° C., more preferably about 25° C.) andthe particulate onto which it is sprayed is again preferably at or nearambient temperature (e.g. 15 to 35° C., preferably 20 to 30° C., morepreferably about 25° C.). The gas pressure of the spray chamber isconveniently ambient (e.g. 1 atmosphere). The spray rate may beadjusted, according to batch size and component identities andconcentrations, to optimize the mean particle size of the firstgranulate. However, for a 3 kg solids batch, a spray rate of 30 to 50g/min may be appropriate and a spray rate of about 40 g/min isparticularly preferred.

The granulate may be dried in a separate drier but preferably is driedin place in the fluidized bed mixer, e.g. using a heated gas (e.g. air)flow through the granulate. This can be effected while spraying of thebinder solution is taking place or after spraying of the binder solutionhas been completed. Clearly if drying is effected during spraying itshould be completed after spraying has stopped. Preferably a drying gastemperature of 60 to 90° C., more especially 65 to 75° C., in particularabout 70° C. is used. Particularly preferably drying is effected suchthat the granulate temperature reaches 40 to 50° C., especially about 43to 45° C.

In this way a first granulate having a low water content, e.g. 1 to 5%by weight, preferably about 3%, may be produced and subsequently driedto a moisture content of about 0.1 to 0.5%, preferably 0.2% by weight,within an overall granulation and drying period of 15 to 45 mins,preferably 20 to 30 mins.

The first granulate preferably has a particle size distribution (asdetermined by Malvern particle size analysis) as follows:D(v, 0.1)=15-21 μmD(v, 0.5)=70-120 μmD(v, 0.9)=190-330 μm

Where the first granulate is to be mixed with further components beforetabletting, such further components will typically be one or more of thefollowing: further active agents, e.g. vitamins, in particularly vitaminD, especially vitamin D₃; effervescing agents; diluents; sweeteners;flavors; acidulants; and lubricants, e.g. hydrogenated fatty acids,polyethyleneglycol, sodium stearyl fumarate, stearic acid and saltsthereof, for example magnesium stearate. When a further active agent isadded, this should be at a therapeutically effective dosage. Whenvitamin D is added, e.g. to produce a product suitable for treatment orprophylaxis of osteoporosis, this preferably is at a calcium to vitaminD ratio of 100 mg Ca: 30 to 150 IU Vitamin D, especially 100:35 to 100IU, more especially 100:40 to 90 IU. Preferably the second granulateshould be such as to be tablettable to produce tablets containing 500mgCa and 200 to 250 IU or 400 to 450 IU vitamin D₃.

Where vitamin D is used, this may conveniently be vitamin D₂(ergocalciferol) or more preferably vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol). Doseunits of the second granulate, e.g. tablets formed therefrom, preferablycontain 250 to 1500 mg Ca and 5 to 30 μg vitamin D.

Vitamin D₃ is commercially available from Roche in a granular form whichconsists of vitamin D₃ in edible fats finely dispersed in a starchcoated matrix of gelatin and sucrose with D,L-α-tocopherol added as anantioxidant. However, other dry powder or granulate forms of vitamin Dmay also be used.

A chewable tablet containing 500 mg calcium and 5 μg vitamin D₃ onlycontains 2.2 mg of the commercial quality of vitamin D₃ from Roche (100CWS). This constitutes only 0.13% of the total weight of the tablet andone may thus anticipate problems with the homogeneity of vitamin D₃ inthe tablet. A Malvern particle size analysis of the 100 CWS qualitytypically gives the following results for the particle sizedistribution: D(v, 0.1)=180-250 μm, D(v, 0.5)=240-300 μm and D(v,0.9)=320-400 μm. It has been found desirable to sieve the vitamin D₃ on60 mesh (250 μm) with a Russell vibrating sieve. This procedure willincrease the number of vitamin D₃ particles per tablet and thusfacilitate a more even and uniform distribution. In addition to this thesieving procedure will also eliminate all the coarse particles in thevitamin D₃ which also contribute to an inhomogeneous distribution.

Twenty consecutive batches of a chewable tablet containing 500 mgcalcium and 5 μg vitamin D₃ have been produced which have utilized asieved (<60 mesh) vitamin D₃ with a mean particle size in the region of203-217 μm. All twenty batches comply with the requirements set in theEuropean Pharmacopeia with respect to the uniformity of content ofvitamin D₃ in the tablet.

Other active ingredients can be included in the compositions producedaccording to the invention. Examples include isoflavones, vitamin K,vitamin C, vitamin B₆ and oligosaccharides such as inulin andoligofructose. Isoflavones exhibit a weak oestrogenic effect and canthus increase bone density in post-menopausal women. Isoflavones areavailable under the trade name Novasoy 400 from ADM Nutraceutical,Illinois, USA. Novasoy 400 contains 40% isoflavones and will typicallybe used in an amount sufficient to provide 25 to 100 mgisoflavone/dosage. Isoflavones may be included in the second granulate;however as Novasoy 400 is a relatively cohesive powder it is preferredthat it be included in the first granulate in order to ensure that it isuniformly distributed. Vitamin k (more especially vitamin K₁) mayimprove biochemical markers of bone formation and bone density and lowconcentrations of vitamin K₁ have been associated with low bone mineraldensity and bone fractures. Vitamin K₁ is available from Roche as DryVitamin K₁, 5% SD, a dry substance containing 5% vitamin K₁. Typicallyvitamin K₁ will be used in a quantity sufficient to provide 0.05 to 5 mgvitamin K₁/dosage. Vitamin C and vitamin B₆ (available from Roche,Takeda and BASF amongst others) function as co-factors in the formationof collagen, the main component of the organic matrix of bone. Vitamin Cand vitamin B₆ will typically be used in quantities sufficient toprovide 60 to 200 mg vitamin C/dosage and 1.6 to 4.8 mg vitaminB₆/dosage respectively. Oligosaccharides have been shown to facilitateand increase calcium absorption and may typically be used in quantitiessufficient to provide 0.3 to 5 g oligosaccharide/dosage. In general itis desirable that a total of at least 5 g oligosaccharide isadministered daily to facilitate calcium uptake and to obtain apre-biotic effect.

Where an active component is used which forms a minor part of theoverall granulate, e.g. vitamin D, it is general preferred to produce apremix of such a component and the first granulate before mixing thepremix and the remaining required quantity of the first granulate. Thisensures uniform distribution of the minor component in the secondgranulate.

The second granulate also preferably contains a flavor, e.g. a fruitflavor, in particular a lemon or orange flavor, in order to mask thechalky taste of calcium carbonate. The flavor may, for example, be alemon or orange oil dispersed in a hydrogenated glucose syrup materialor, alternatively, it may be any other stable flavor, e.g. one of theDurarome flavors available from Firmenich.

Extra sweeteners, e.g. artificial sweeteners such as aspartame,acesulfame K, saccharin, sodium saccharin, neohesperidine hydrochloride,taumatin and sodium cyclamate may be used to enhance the sweetness ofthe granulate.

Acidulants, e.g. anhydrous citric acid, malic acid, or any other organicacid with suitable organoleptic properties may be used in order tocomplement and enhance the flavour and sweetness of the dosage form.

Such extra components may be mixed in during the fluid granulation stepof the process of the invention, but preferably they are mixed in withthe first granulate in a separate dry mixing step, optionally after asieving step to ensure homogeneous mixing.

When the granulate is to be tabletted, it preferably includes alubricant, e.g. magnesium stearate, stearic acid, hydrogenated fattyacids, sodium stearyl fumarate, PEG 6000 or PEG 8000. Magnesium stearateis generally preferred. Such a lubricant will generally make up 0.3 to1.5%, particularly 0.35 to 1.0% by weight of the composition to betabletted. The lubricant is preferably added in a final mixing step andmixed in for a brief time to prevent overmixing and subsequent lack ofcohesion in the tabletted product.

Where the granulate is to be tabletted, this can be effected onconventional tablet presses. Preferably the tablet so produced will havea total weight of 500 to 3800 mg, e.g. 500 to 3000 mg, more especially1000 to 2500 mg, most preferably 1500 to 2000 mg. If desired however,the granulate (either the first granulate or the second granulate) maybe used for other administration forms, e.g. powders, capsules,lozenges, coated tablets, etc. In general dose units (e.g. tablets orsachet contents) will contain 100 to 1000 mg Ca, especially 250 to 750mg Ca, most preferably 450 to 550 mg Ca. The granulate is itself noveland forms a further aspect of the invention. Viewed from this aspect,the invention provides a granulate, preferably a tablettable granulate,comprising a fluid bed granulation granulate product of aphysiologically tolerable calcium compound, a water-soluble binder and awater-soluble diluent, said calcium compound having a mean particle sizein the range 3 to 40 μm, having a crystalline structure and having asurface area of 0.1 to 1.2 m²/g.

The calcium compound for preparation of the granulate may, for example,be selected from calcium carbonate, calcium lactate, calcium gluconate,calcium citrate, calcium glycerophosphate, calcium phosphate, calciumhydrogen phosphate, calcium glucuronate, calcium aspartate, calciumglucoheptonate and mixtures of two or more thereof.

The water-soluble diluent included in the granulate is preferably asweetener or mixture of sweeteners,.e.g. a polyol or a polysaccharide,more preferably a non-cariogenic sweetener. Examples of suitablediluents include sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, sucrose, fructose,maltodextrin, inulin and oligofructose.

The water-soluble binder included in the granulate may be selected fromknown water-soluble pharmaceutical binders, e.g. it may be a solublecellulose or polysaccharide or a polyvinylpyrrolidone or a mixturethereof. Maltodextrin and inulin may also be used as binders.

Other active ingredients can also be included in the granulate of theinvention. Examples include vitamin B₆, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin D,isoflavones, inulin and oligofructose and mixtures of two or morethereof.

Viewed from a further aspect, the invention provides a physiologicallytolerable particulate calcium compound having a mean particle size inthe range 3 to 40 μm, having a crystalline structure and having asurface area of 0.1 to 1.2 m²/g produced by the process of theinvention.

Viewed from a still further aspect the invention provides an orallyadministrable calcium composition, preferably in tablet (e.g. compressedtablet) form, comprising a physiologically tolerable particulate calciumcompound having a mean particle size in the range 3 to 40 μm, having acrystalline structure and having a surface area of 0.1 to 1.2 m²/g, awater-soluble diluent, and a water soluble binder; e.g. calciumcarbonate, sorbitol and PVP, and preferably also a sweetener, a flavourand a lubricant, e.g. aspartame, citrus oil and magnesium stearate.Especially preferably the composition is in the form of a tabletcomprising 1250±10% parts by weight calcium carbonate, (e.g. asScoralite 1A and/or 1B), 390±10% parts by weight sorbitol, and 36.4±10%parts by weight PVP, and preferably each tablet contains 1250±10% mgcalcium carbonate.

The present invention makes it possible to reduce the amount of solublediluent and binder in a chewable calcium tablet while sustaining thedesirable chewability by the production of a highly porous granulate byfluid bed granulation using a calcium compound with a relatively highdegree of crystallinity and with smooth faces to the crystals. This highdegree of porosity, desirably 20 to 30%, results in the final chewabletablet having improved sensoric properties despite having a high calciumcontent. Such properties include improved dispersion in water andreduced stickiness during mastication.

The porosity of the granulate or tablet may be determined using mercuryintrusion porosimetry (e.g. using a Carlo Erba Porosimeter 2000), and byhelium adsorption, e.g. using an AccuPyc 1330 pycnometer to measure truedensity and a Geopyc 1360 envelope measuring apparatus. AccuPyc 1330 andGeopyc 1360 apparatus are available from Micrometrics. Mercury intrusionporosimetry is the more suitable of the two techniques for measuring theporosity of a granulate while both techniques can be used for measuringthe porosity of a tablet.

Viewed from a further aspect the invention provides a tablet (e.g. alozenge, chewable tablet or a effervescent tablet) comprising acompressed granulate according to the invention and containing: calciumcarbonate; vitamin D₃; a lubricant; citric acid; and an oligosaccharide;and, optionally but preferably, polyvinylpyrrolidone.

The invention will now be described further with reference to thefollowing non-limiting Examples and the accompanying drawings in whichFIGS. 1 to 6 are scanning electron micrographs of six different gradesof calcium carbonate and FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B are scanning electronmicrographs of granulates prepared according to the invention at lower(FIGS. 7A and 8A) and higher (FIGS. 7B and 8B) magnification:

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of First Granulate

A binder solution is prepared containing 27.7% by weight ofpolyvinylpyrrolidone (Kollidon K30) in purified water. This istemperature-controlled at 20° C. or more preferably 25° C. beforespraying.

A batch of 74.5 parts by weight calcium carbonate (Scoralite 1B) and23.3 parts by weight sorbitol (Neosorb P100T) is blended for two minutesusing a high speed mixer (Fielder PMA 25/2G) set at maximum mixingspeed. 3.0 kg of this blend are then placed at 23-26° C. in the mixerchamber of a Glatt GPCG3 fluid bed mixer.

The polyvinylpyrrolidone solution is then sprayed onto the fluidizedblend at a rate of 40 g/min until a total of 280 g of liquid has beenadded. Spraying is effected into air at an inlet temperature of 45° C.and at ambient pressure.

Air at 70° C. is then passed through the sprayed granulate until it isdry (about 0.2% by weight residual moisture content). At this stage, thegranulate temperature is about 44° C. The total duration of the sprayingand drying stage is about 25 minutes.

At the end of the drying stage the first granulate has the followingproperties:

-   mean particle size and distribution D(v, 0.1)=16 μm,-   D(v, 0.5)=100 μm, and D(v, 0.9)=284 μm-   Bulk density: 0.73 g/mL-   Porosity: 20-30%-   Flowability (Carrs index %): 13

The mean particle size analysis is performed on a Malvern Mastersizer Slong bench apparatus D(v,0.1), D(v,0.5), and D(v,0.9) give the particlesizes for which 10%, 50% and 90% of the particles by volume have sizesbelow the given values.

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation and Tabletting of Second Granulate

4.4 parts by weight of sieved (<60 mesh) Vitamin D₃ from Roche and 32parts by weight of the first granulate are dry mixed in a twin coneconvection blender to form a pre-mix.

The pre-mix, the first granulate, lemon flavour granulate and aspartameare then dry mixed in a conical screw mixer to produce a granulate whichis then mixed for 9 minutes. Magnesium stearate is added and mixed foran additional 3 minutes to produce a second granulate comprising:Calcium carbonate  1250 parts by weight Sorbitol   390 parts by weightPolyvinylpyrrolidone  36.4 parts by weight Vitamin D₃ 100 000 IU/g  4.4parts by weight (100 CWS from Roche) Lemon flavour  50.7 parts by weight(in dehydrated glucose syrup) Aspartame    1 part by weight Magnesiumstearate    6 part by weight

This mixture is then tabletted to produce biconvex tablets of 16 mmdiameter containing 1250 mg calcium carbonate.

The characteristics of the tablets are as follows:

-   Breaking strength: The chewable tablet has a normal biconvex shape    and a diameter of 16 mm. The tablet initially has a breaking    strength of 6 to 7.5 kp which can increase to approximately 8 to 9    kp after 24 hour storage. This breaking strength gives a    satisfactory chewability and at the same time resistance towards    handling and packaging into tablet bottles.

The initial breaking strength values may however vary between 4.5 to 8.0kp according to the size of the tablet (12-21 mm).

-   Friability: A breaking strength of 6 to 7.5 kp for a chewable tablet    with a diameter of 16 mm results in friability values of less than    1%. This low value for the friability ensures sufficient firmness    with respect to handling and packaging.-   Disintegration: A characteristic feature of this chewable tablet    formulation is the very fast disintegrating time.

The disintegration time is typically between,3 and 6 min. It is also acharacteristic feature of the tablet that it disintegrates into theprimary crystals of calcium carbonate which ensures a rapid exposure ofcalcium carbonate for dissolution.

This is important for the in vivo dissolution of calcium carbonate inthe acidic gastric medium in the stomach and the subsequent absorptionof calcium in the gastrointestinal tract.

-   Porosity: The tablet has a characteristic porosity of 25-30%. The    porosity is determined by both mercury intrusion porosimetry and    helium adsorption as described above. Both techniques gave porosity    values in the range 25-30% for the tablet.-   Dissolution: The dissolution rate is typically quick with 90%    elemental calcium being dissolved within 10 min in 900 ml of 0.1 N    HCl at 37° C. (Ph. Eur., rotating paddle at 50 RPM).

EXAMPLE 3

Lozenge to be Sucked

Using a process analogous to that of Examples 1 and 2 lozenges areprepared with the following composition: Calcium granulate: Calciumcarbonate (Scoralite 1B):  1250 mg Xylitol (CM50):   390 mgPolyvinylpyrrolidone (Kollidon K 30): 36.40 mg Vitamin D₃ 100 000 IU/g(100 CWS from Roche):  4.4 mg Lemon flavor:  50.7 mg Anhydrous citricacid:  8.0 mg Aspartame:  1.0 mg Magnesium stearate:  6.0 mg Sum tabletweight:  1747 mg

EXAMPLE 4

Sachet Product to be Dispersed in a Glass of Water

Using a process analogous to that of Examples 1 and 2 but with sorbitolreplaced by anhydrous citric acid, sachets are prepared with thefollowing granulate contents: Calcium granulate: Calcium carbonate(Scoralite 1A):  1250 mg Citric acid, anhydrous  2150 mg (powderquality) Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Kollidon VA 64 or 36.60 mg 90F): VitaminD₃ 100 000 IU/g (100 CWS from Roche):  4.4 mg Lemon flavor:   300 mgAspartame:  15.0 mg Acesulfam K:  14.0 mg Sum sachet contents weight: 3770 mg

EXAMPLE 5

Granulate to be Dispensed from a Granulate Dispensing Unit

This product may be used as a food additive or as a functional foodwhere the consumer takes a dosage equivalent to 500-1000 mg of elementalcalcium and uses this as a supplement in daily food products, such asfor example breakfast cereals and fruit juices. The granulate isproduced by a process analogous to that of Examples 1 and 2 with thefollowing composition: Calcium granulate: Calcium carbonate (Scoralite1A + 1B): 1250 mg Xylitol (CM 50):  390 mg Polyvinylpyrrolidone(Kollidon VA 64):  36 mg Granulate weight per 500 mg Ca²⁺: 1676 mg

In this Example, polyvinylpyrrolidone may be replaced by inulin (e.g.Raftiline ST), 36.60 mg. Additional inulin or oligofructose may be addedto bring the total oligosaccharide content to 1 to 5 g per dosage.

EXAMPLE 6

Effervescent Tablet to be Dispersed in a Glass of Water

Using a process analogous to that of Examples 1 and 2, effervescenttablets are prepared with the following composition: Calcium granulate:Calcium carbonate (Scoralite 1A + 1B):  1250 mg Citric acid, anhydrous 2150 mg (powder quality) Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Kollidon VA 64 36.60 mgor 90F): Vitamin D₃ 100 000 IU/g (100 CWS from Roche):  4.4 mg Lemonflavor:   300 mg Aspartame:  15.0 mg Acesulfam K:  15.0 mg Sodiumstearate fumarate:  19.0 mg Sum tablet weight:  3790 mg

In this Example, aspartame and acesulfam K may be partially or totallyreplaced by inulin or oligofructose with these-providing 1 to 4oligosaccharide per tablet.

EXAMPLE 7

Calcium Carbonate Grades

Samples of Scoralite 1B, Scoralite 1A, Super Purity CaCO₃, MedicinalHeavy CaCO₃, Pharmacarb LL and Merck 2064 were investigated using ascanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM pictures of these grades ofcalcium carbonate are presented in FIGS. 1 to 6 respectively of theaccompanying drawings.

Granulates made analogously to Example 1 using Scoralite 1B and SuperPurity CaCO₃ were also investigated by SEM and SEM pictures of thesegranulates at lower (A) and higher (B) magnifications are presented inFIGS. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings. The pictures of the twogranulates clearly show their high degree of porosity, a property whichis important for the fast disintegration/dissolution of tablets madetherefrom. Moreover, this high degree of porosity is important for thesensory properties such as chewability and avoidance of sticking to theteeth during mastication.

EXAMPLES 8 TO 12

Analogously to Examples 1 and 2, chewable tablets and lozenges areprepared with the compositions set out in Table 1 below. The differencebetween a chewable tablet and a lozenge is simply in crushing strengthor hardness, the lozenge being more forceably compressed so that it canbe sucked and will last longer in the mouth.

The concentration of the binder in the aqueous granulation liquid andthe granulation spray rate are adjusted in Examples 9 to 12 as follows:

Example 9: 20% maltodextrin solution, spray rate 31 g/min

Example 10: 15% inulin solution, spray rate 28 g/min.

Example 11: 15% inulin solution, spray rate 31 g/min.

Example 12: 28% PVP solution, spray rate 31 g/min. Ingredients incalcium Example Number granulate 8 9 10 11 12 CaCO₃ ¹  1250 mg  1250 mg 1250 mg  1250 mg  1250 mg Isoflavone — — — —  62.5 mg extract² Xylitol³  390 mg — — —   389 mg Sucrose⁴ —   391 mg — — — Inulin⁵ — —   390 mg —— Isomalt⁶ — — —   390 mg — Polyvinyl- 36.40 mg — — — 45.50 mgpyrrolidone VA64 Inulin⁵ — — 24.00 mg 24.00 mg — Malto- — 31.00 mg — — —dextrin⁷ Remaining Ingredients Vitamin D₃ ⁸  4.4 mg  4.4 mg  4.4 mg  4.4mg  4.4 mg Lemon  53.2 mg  52.6 mg  52.6 mg  52.6 mg  52.6 mg FlavourAnhydrous  8.0 mg — — — — Citric Acid Malic Acid —  8.0 mg  8.0 mg  8.0mg  8.0 mg Aspartame — —  1.0 mg  1.0 mg — Magnesium  8.0 mg  8.0 mg 8.0 mg  8.0 mg  8.0 mg Stearate Tablet  1750 mg  1745 mg  1738 mg  1738mg  1820 mg Weight¹Scoralite 1A + 1B²Novasoy 400³CM 50⁴Tate & Lyle⁵Raftiline ST⁶Isomalt PF⁷Lycatab DSH⁸100 CWS

In Examples 10 and 11, additional oligosaccharide (e.g. inulin oroligofructose) may be added to bring the oligosaccharide content to 1 to5 g per dosage.

EXAMPLE 13

Calcium Carbonate Characteristics

Different samples (lots) of Scoralite 1B and Scoralite 1A+1B wereinvestigated for particle size (using Malvern Particle size analysisperformed on a Malvern Mastersizer S long bench apparatus and a MalvernMastersizer 2000), specific surface area (BET analysis by nitrogenadsorption performed on a Sartorius micro balance) and apparent bulkdensity (using apparent bulk density before settling (poured density)according to Ph. Eur., 3rd Edition, 1977). The values determined were asfollows: Scoralite Sample 1B 1B 1B 1A + 1B 1A + 1B 1A + 1B Apparent 1.091.04 1.02 0.95 0.99 0.89 bulk density (g/mL) D(v, 0.5) μm 15.1 14.7 15.913.3 13.7 11.8 D(v, 0.1) μm 8.8 8.7 8.1 6.3 6.5 3.9 D(v, 0.9) μm 24.323.4 27.8 23.5 24.2 23.0 Specific 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.7 surface area(m²/g)

1. A process for the preparation of an orally administrable calciumcomposition, sad process comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining aphysiologically tolerable particulate calcium compound having a meanparticle size in the range of 3 to 40 μm, having a crystalline structureand having a surface area of 0.1 to 1.2 m²/g; (ii) mixing said calciumcompound with a water-soluble diluent and an aqueous solution of watersoluble binder in a fluid bed granulation apparatus and drying theresulting mixture to produce a first granulate; (iii) optionally mixingsaid first granulate with one or more further components to produce asecond granulate; (iv) optionally compressing said first or secondgranulate to form tablets.
 2. A process as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid calcium compound is selected from calcium carbonate, calciumlactate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, calcium glycerophosphate,calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium glucuronate,calcium aspartate, calcium glucoheptonate and mixtures of two or morethereof.
 3. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said calciumcompound is calcium carbonate.
 4. A process as claimed in claim 3wherein said calcium compound makes up 68 to 80% wt. of said firstgranulate.
 5. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said calciumcompound makes up 60 to 95% wt. of said second granulate.
 6. A processas claimed in claim 3 wherein in step (ii) the same material is used assaid diluent and as said buffer.
 7. A process as claimed in claim 3wherein said water-soluble diluent comprises at least one sweetener. 8.A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein said sweetener is at least onecomponent selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, xylitol,isomalt, mannitol, sucrose, fructose, maltodextrin, inulin andoligofructose.
 9. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidwater-soluble diluent makes up 70-96% wt. of the total weight of saidwater-soluble diluent and said water-soluble binder in said firstgranulate.
 10. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidwater-soluble binder is selected from the group consisting ofcelluloses, polysaccharides, maltodextrin, inulin andpolyvinylpyrrolidone.
 11. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidwater-soluble binder is polyvinylpyrrolidone.
 12. A process as claimedin claim 3 wherein said first granulate has a particle size distributionof D(V, 0.1)0 15-21 μm, D(V, 0.5)=70-120 μm and D(V, 0.9)=190-330 μm.13. A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein a said further component ismixed with said first granulate, said further component being at leastone component selected from the group consisting of: vitamin B₆, vitaminK, vitamin C, vitamin D, isoflavones, inulin, and oligofructose andmixtures of two or more thereof.
 14. A process as claimed in claim 3wherein in step (ii) said calcium compound is also mixed withisoflavones.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. (canceled)